The Eastern Tiger Snake

The dangerous venomous Tiger snake is a fascinating part of Australia's wildlife. The black and yellow striped reptile is one of the most dangerous Snake in the world, as its bite resulted in instant death. People  receive a number of bites from Tiger Snakes every year more often than any other Australian Snakes. Today, the death rate has been reduced due to the development of an anti-venom. 

This heavy built snake is not especially aggressive but it is a big breeder. Eastern Tiger snakes are found in rainforests, river valleys, flood plains of main river systems where they feed mainly on tadpoles and frogs. They also love swampy ground. They are active mainly by day or at dusk, but in hot weather they turn to hunting at night. 

DESCRIPTION

Other names: Mainland tiger snake, common tiger snake.

Appearance: Broad head, heavy build. Its back usually has 40-50 cross- bands of yellow or cream on background of grey, green or brown. Belly is cream, yellow, olive or grey.

Size: 1.8 metres.

Birth: Live litter of 30.

It has a flat blunt head. They are able to flatten their whole body when they are annoyed or basking in the sun. The way you can tell when a Tiger Snake is about to strike it is in a S shape. When it is in a S shape the muscles are being tightened and ready to strike. These reptiles  are more likely to be stepped on than most species. Instead of moving away when it detects approaching humans, it often allows people to come very close, within a step or two. Snakes have scales under their bellies. They use their scales to help them move along. They use a slithering motion to get around. That movement is called slithering. (moving from side to side) 

Special features

Although the Tiger snake is still common in many areas of Australia, it's overall number has decreased swiftly. The main reason for this fast reduction is the impact humans are having on their habitat. For example, river level control along the Murray River has swiftly reduced annual flooding patterns. This has changed the water table and reduced the numbers of  swamps and lagoons. In south -western Victoria, the extensive stone walls, once a haven for snakes, have been replaced by wire fences. 

Lakes and swamps in many areas have been drained for farming purposes. In some developed areas, Tiger Snake populations have been reduced. For instance, Tiger Snakes are usually  found in Sydney or Melbourne along watercourses or golf courses.  Glad to hear Tiger snakes are shown on maps of National parks.

Venom

Tiger Snakes have a strongly built venom that can kill most animals and humans! Tiger snakes are sometimes very vicious if you approach them when they are eating.

The way to find out if Tiger Snakes have venom or not is to grab the back of their jaw and put the Tiger Snake's teeth to a jar with a peace of balloon rubber stuck on top. 

If venom comes out of their teeth it means that it has venom.